El Al Israel National Airlines | Jewish Virtual Library El Al Israel National Airlines Tweet A mere vision in 1948, EL AL Israel Airlines today is one of the world’s most advanced and efficient airlines and the ultimate success story of international civil aviation. The birth and growth of EL AL can be directly tied to the dramatic and historical events responsible for shaping the State of Israel . The establishment of Israel as an independent state on May 14, 1948 paved the way for EL AL to become Israel’s national airline. In September of that year, the Israeli Government wanted to bring home its newly designated President Chaim Weizmann and his wife Vera from Switzerland in a stately manner. So, government officials chose a four-engine C-54 plane from the Israeli Air Force and named the aircraft “EL AL” inspired by the biblical phrase from the book of the Hebrew prophet Hosea , meaning “to the above” or more poetically “to the skies.” Hurriedly, the plane was painted with the name “EL AL” and “Israeli National Aviation Company” in both English and Hebrew with, most beautifully, the Israeli flag on the tail.

The makeshift aircraft was decorated with furniture borrowed from the Israeli Air Force and the volunteer in-flight crew was from the Air Force as well. Meals were provided by a local kosher restaurant. Extra fuel tanks were fitted so that the aircraft could travel the 10-hour nonstop flight from Geneva to Israel . On September 28, 1948, the aircraft landed with President Weizmann , his wife Vera and an entourage at Israel’s Ekron Air Base near Rehovot (southeast of Tel Aviv ) to a military band playing Hatikva , Israel’s national anthem. By November of 1948, the new Israeli national airline became incorporated under the name EL AL Israel Airlines Ltd., with the Israeli government holding 80% and the remaining 20% held by Jewish organizations in Israel.

The mission of EL AL was, and continues to be, to “secure and maintain a regular civil air link between Israel and the outside world in times of peace and war.” With Operation Magic Carpe t in January 1949, dozens of EL AL pilots and cabin crew participated in the airlift of almost 47,000 Yemenite Jews and 3,000 Habbanim Jews from the Arabian Peninsula to Israel. The aircraft had to be repainted, enabling EL AL to fly safely over Arab air space. To accommodate as many passengers as possible, EL AL replaced the aircraft’s seats with wooden benches. At the peak of the operation, planes flew around the clock to Israel , seven to eight flights a day on routes of 1,600 miles that each took about nine hours, which today would take about two and half hours. As they arrived in Israel , many of the Yemenites kneeled and kissed the tarmac as their dream to be brought to the Promised Land on “Eagles Wings” was realized. Following the great success of the Yemenite airlift, an even more massive rescue mission of Jews from Iraq took place, called Operation Ali Baba.

In March of 1950, following Iraqi persecution of the local Jewish communities, the Iraqi government finally allowed Jewish emigration. Operation Ali Baba started in May of that year and continued through December of 1951. EL AL became the first visible symbol of a new life of freedom for 113,000 Iraqi immigrants. While these rescue missions were taking place, commercially EL AL operated its first trans-Atlantic charter flight from Tel Aviv to New York in June of 1950. That flight required four stops: Rome , Paris , Shannon and Gander, Newfoundland before arriving at Idlewild Airport (today JFK) in New York. With the arrival of the Lockheed Constellation aircraft named Mazel Tov (“good luck”), the airline finally inaugurated regular scheduled service between Tel Aviv and New York in April of 1951. Upon the outbreak of the Sinai War on October 29, 1956, every foreign airline immediately cancelled all flights to and from Israel . Only EL AL flew passengers in and out of the country.

As many of the airline’s pilots were called to active duty by the Air Force , EL AL enlisted additional pilots to maintain passenger service and transport supplies from Paris to Israel , proving that only EL AL can be relied upon at any time to continue air service. As a result of EL AL’s actions during the war, the Israeli government recognized the added value of having a national airline and made a promise to build EL AL into a major international carrier by purchasing three new Britannias (four-engine turboprops). EL AL became the first airline outside of Britain to use this innovative aircraft. By December of 1957, an EL AL Britannia flew the longest flight by any commercial airline on the New York/Tel Aviv route with a flying time of 14 hours and 46 minutes, at an average speed of 645 kilometers per hour. In January of 1958, an EL AL Britannia broke its own speed record with a flight time of 7 hours and 44 minutes on the nonstop New York/London route. Just after the Britannia began flying for EL AL, the quickly approaching age of the pure-jet aircraft led the airline to order new Boeing 707’s.

On the 707 maiden flight from New York to Tel Aviv in 1961, three world records were established: the fastest flight, the first nonstop service on that route and the world’s longest nonstop commercial flight. That year saw the retirement of the last Constellation aircraft, marking the end of the piston-engine era for EL AL. Once again, EL AL was faced with an enormous challenge, due to the outbreak of the Six Day War on June 5, 1967 between Israel and Egypt / Syria / Jordan , because so many of the airline’s employees were mobilized. Meanwhile, Israelis overseas and foreign volunteers mobbed EL AL offices worldwide desiring to return to Israel to help in the anticipated war. As in 1948 and 1956, every airline except EL AL immediately stopped flying into and out of Israel but EL AL continued passenger and cargo service. By 1970, the number of EL AL employees worldwide grew to nearly 4,000. In March of 1971, EL AL launched its first scheduled service to Canada .

During the same year, EL AL also purchased two new state-of-the-art Boeing 747-200 jumbo jets for the nonstop New York/Tel Aviv route. The capacity was double the size of any previous EL AL aircraft. The 747-200 was the largest investment Israel had ever made for a single piece of equipment, costing $31-35 million each. That year, passenger traffic on EL AL soared by 40% as compared to the previous year. At this time, EL AL began the first scheduled nonstop service westbound from Tel Aviv to New York. On October 6, 1973 , the combined forces of Egypt and Syria attacked Israel in the early afternoon on Yom Kippur , the holiest day of the Jewish year. Again, all foreign carriers stopped flying to and from Israel and Lod Airport was closed to all civilian traffic. EL AL rapidly began ferrying Israeli nationals home while airlifting emergency supplies, medicines and vital materials. On the second day of the war, the interiors on all EL AL 707 aircraft were gutted and an emergency cargo “skytrain” operation began.

EL AL pilots logged 180 hours of flying time in two weeks, an average of more than 12 hours per day. With only a quarter of the normal staff on duty to keep the aircraft flying, EL AL managed to maintain its regular flight schedule, again being the only carrier flying between Israel and the outside world. By the early 1980’s, EL AL introduced the King Solomon business class, logged the highest on-time performance record of any international airline and was ranked one of the top business class services in the industry. Within a decade, EL AL served 34 destinations worldwide with scheduled service to five more North American destinations, having added Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Miami and Toronto. On January 1, 1990, Operation Exodus beganand EL AL played a major role by airlifting hundreds of thousands of Soviet Jews to Israel . In May of 1991, EL AL assisted in rescuing close to 15,000 Ethiopian Jews from Addis Ababa. More than 300 EL AL ground workers, pilots and flight attendants worked around the clock over Memorial Day weekend to assist in the life saving mission.

Dubbed Operation Solomon , one specially configured EL AL Boeing 747 aircraft carried 1,087 people (almost 2.5 times the normal number of passengers), setting an international aviation record. EL AL used 10 Boeing aircraft to successfully complete Operation Solomon . Three babies were born onboard with the assistance of doctors and flight attendants. After the Ethiopians heard the arrival announcement in the Amharic language that the aircraft was above Jerusalem , they began to sing “Jerusalem of Gold.” EL AL kept its promise to the Government of Israel that the airline will organize and operate a flight to carry immigrants from hostile countries to Israel within 12 hours notice. More recent humanitarian missions, in cooperation with the government of Israel , involved EL AL carrying 90 tons of relief assistance to aid victims in Indonesia and rescuing Israelis who were on vacation in Sri Lanka following the 2004 tsunami catastrophe. This took place even though there are no diplomatic relations between Israel and the two countries. Another mission occurred in September of 2005, when an EL AL 747 jumbo jet brought 90 tons of emergency supplies to a military base in Little Rock, Arkansas for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

In 2004, EL AL became a private airline. Even though the government of Israel’s holding decreased to less than 50%, EL AL continues to maintain its role as Israel’s national airline and displays the Star of David on the tail of every aircraft. A five-year plan to provide the highest uncompromised level of service to benefit customers, employees and shareholders was established. Part of the plan includes developing EL AL into a global carrier, implementing more sophisticated information systems, upgrading the in-flight product on existing aircraft, expanding the fleet and intensifying the full potential of EL AL human resources. EL AL has successfully accomplished these goals and is today an innovative leader in aviation. With a state-of-the-art fleet, enhanced in-flight services for every passenger and an expanded route network to more than 40 destinations worldwide, EL AL is the leading airline to Israel. EL AL operates the most nonstop flights from North America, including the only nonstop service from Los Angeles. EL AL is the only airline flying to Israel that has 3 classes of service. Premium classes are equipped with advanced new sleeper seats and passengers relax in modern new luxurious lounges prior to departure.

A new code share agreement with American Airlines and partnerships with other leading domestic carriers offer EL AL passengers convenient flight options from dozens of additional cities in North America. With annual revenues of about $1.93 billion and carrying approximately 1.8 million passengers annually, EL AL continues to invest in its future while preserving its traditions. EL AL still remains the world’s only Shomer Shabbat carrier (not flying from sundown on Friday until sunset on Saturday). Embodying Israel’s values of innovation and care, passengers are met with warm Israeli hospitality, Israeli flight attendants who make you feel at home and the best trained Israeli pilots. Originally created to assist those in need, EL AL continues serving as a lifeline to the world, reuniting thousands of families and providing immigrants with a chance for a new life in Israel . Today we proudly celebrate 60 years of nonstop service as Israel’s national carrier. El Al Airlines annually runs special non-stop flights from New York 's JFK airport to Poland , in order for High School students to participate in the March of the Living . In May 2016, over 1,000 U.S.

High School students flew with El Al to Poland to join 10,000 others in the March of the Living. These flights were chartered as part of the International March of the Living Education Programs, with which El Al has been a partner since 1988. Important Dates in El Al's History November 15, 1948: EL AL incorporated as EL AL Israel Airlines, Ltd. January 1949: Operation Magic Carpet, El Al airlifts approximately 47,000 Yemenite and 3,000 Habbanim Jews to Israel. May 1950 – December 1951: Operation Ali Baba, El Al airlifts 113,000 Iraqi immigrants to Israel. June 18, 1950: First trans-Atlantic charter flight from Tel Aviv to New York. December 18-19, 1957: EL AL Britannia plane accomplishes longest flight by any commercial airline, from New York to Tel Aviv in 14 hours 46 minutes.

January 8, 1958: EL AL Britannia plane breaks world record for speed with a flight time of 7 hours 44 minutes on nonstop New York-London route. June 15, 1961: El Al flight establishes 3 world records on New York-Tel Aviv route: fastest flight, first nonstop service and longest nonstop commercial flight. April 29, 1973: Begins the only scheduled nonstop service from Tel Aviv to New York. May 1988: El Al sets record for longest nonstop flight on the Los Angeles-Tel Aviv route, approximately 13 hours 41 minutes. January 1, 1990: Beginning of Operation Exodus, El Al airlifts hundreds of thousands of Soviet Jews to Israel. May 24, 1991: Operation Solomon, El Al secretly airlifts 15,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel. One flight carries 1,087 passengers – a world record. June 2004: EL AL stock opened to the public; Government of Israel’s holdings in airline decline to less than 50%.

January 6, 2005: Privatization of airline completed January 22, 2016: First all-female flight completed Sources: Special thanks to Marvin Goldman, EL AL historian and author of "EL AL: Star in the Sky" and "EL AL: Israel's Flying Star"; Blumenthal, Itay. “El Al celebrates first-ever all-female cockpit,” YNet News (January 22, 2016) Click here for more 'All access unrestricted' The allegations first emerged in 2009 when a South African El Al employee, Jonathan Garb appeared on Carte Blanche, an investigative TV programme, and alleged that the airline was engaged in illegal conduct at Johannesburg International Airport. Garb claimed to have been recruited by Israel's Shin Bet domestic security service while working for the airline, and claimed that the organisation was conducting security operations at the airport that were illegal under South African law. The leaked secret document from South Africa's National Intelligence Agency, since incorporated into the State Security Agency, says Israeli intelligence agents posed as El Al employees. "They did carry firearms and had according to them diplomatic protection if they would have to use it," the author of the document wrote.

"They even had all access unrestricted at the airport." "This gave them the advantage to gather information with regards to arrivals and departures to and from South Africa." Garb revealed that El Al security personnel recruited by Shin Bet were made to profile passengers "racially, ethnically, and even on religious grounds". The programme reported that the spies conducted clandestine searches on the belongings of people they deemed suspect, in violation of South African law which only authorises police, armed forces or personnel hired by the transport ministry to carry out such searches. El Al employees also smuggled weapons licensed by the local Israeli embassy for use by the spies, the TV report alleged. Israeli officials publicly denied the allegations at the time. Shortly after the programme aired, however, South Africa deported an El Al official. 'Covert Israeli activity' Garb's allegations also prompted an emergency meeting between Israeli and South African spies and diplomats, as well as El Al and airport managers on November 23 of 2009, according to the leaked document.

South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation withdrew the diplomatic accreditation from the meeting, according to the document's account, denying the Israeli delegation's requested for it to be reinstated and instead telling the Israelis to follow procedure in acquiring work permits and gun licences. The incident also sparked an internal row between South Africa's intelligence agencies, with the National Intelligence Agency writing that it was "of great concern" that neither the South African Security Service nor the Foreign Ministry had informed them of the meeting with Israeli officials. Two years later, in 2011, five South African intelligence agencies were merged into the State Security Agency, to overcome inter-agency confusion and rivalry. In another leaked document, South African spies concluded that Israeli intelligence could use El Al to sneak into the country undetected. "The possibility exists that an Israeli intelligence officer can enter South Africa and under the disguise as an El Al member, go through all the checkpoints at the airport without presenting any documentation," adding that at least one El Al employee had been identified as a courier for Mossad.

'Strict confidence' The Spy Cables also reveal that Canada's intelligence agency had written to the SSA and asked for "any findings or information" on Israel using the airline as "a front for clandestine operations", promising to treat such information "in strict confidence". The Canadian communication noted that a private security company has also investigated the claims, and that its findings had been "in support" of the revelations made by Garb on TV. They asked the South Africans to confirm in detail allegations over the airport operatives illegally acquiring weapons, the evidence that led to the deportation of the El Al official and for any other relevant information. Follow Clayton Swisher , Rahul Radhakrishnan and Will Jordan on Twitter Source: Al Jazeera Content on this website is for general information purposes only. Your comments are provided by your own free will and you take sole responsibility for any direct or indirect liability. You hereby provide us with an irrevocable, unlimited, and global license for no consideration to use, reuse, delete or publish comments, in accordance with Community Rules & Guidelines and Terms and Conditions .

MORE FROM AL JAZEERA Major Airlines of Asia - Nations Online Project Major Airlines of Asia ___ Major Airlines of Asia and the Middle East List of national flag air carriers, domestic airlines, commercial airlines with passenger and cargo service, scheduled air carrier and low cost airlines. For more information about the companies click on the link to connect to the official airline site. Under the city links you will find airport locations, the current local time and current weather conditions. The country links open the respective country profile. Airlines of countries in the Middle East Ariana Afghan Airlines IATA Designator: FG, ICAO Designator: AFG, Callsign: ARIANA Afghanistan's national carrier is the oldest and the largest Afghan airline. Ariana's main hub is in Kabul at Kabul Airport ( IATA code : KBL). IATA Designator: J2, ICAO Designator: AHY, Callsign: AZAL The national airline of Azerbaijan has its main hub at Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD), Baku .

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Main Hub: Chek Lap Kok Airport (Hong Kong International Airport), Hong Kong . IATA Designator: AI, ICAO Designator: AIC, Callsign: AIRINDIA The national flag carrier and the oldest airline of India. Main Hub: Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi . IATA Designator: IX, ICAO Designator: AXB, Callsign: EXPRESS INDIA Low-cost airline subsidiary of Air India, operating destinations in Gulf & Middle Eastern and some Southeast Asian destinations. IATA Designator: IT, ICAO Designator: KFR, Callsign: KINGFISHER India's well-known chartered aviation major now named Kingfisher Red. Alliance Air (now Air India Regional) IATA Designator: CD, ICAO Designator: LLR, Callsign: ALLIED Low-cost subsidiary of Indian Airlines, based in Delhi .

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The airline has its main base at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), near Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur . Maldivian IATA Designator: Q2, ICAO Designator: DQA, Callsign: ISLAND AVIATION Maldivian is the national flag carrier of the Maldives. In addition to its inter-island services the airline operates also international flights. Main base is Mal� International Airport (MLE) on Hulhul� Island near Male , the capital of the Maldives. IATA Designator: -, ICAO Designator: HUM, Callsign: HUM Originally called Hummingbird Island Helicopters, TMA is the oldest Air transfer operator in the Maldives. MIAT Mongolian Airlines IATA Designator: OM, ICAO Designator: MGL, Callsign: MONGOLAIR The airline operates domestic and international scheduled services to destinations in Europe ( Berlin ), Russia ( Moscow ), and Asia ( Beijing , Osaka , Tokyo and Seoul ). Mongolian's main base is Chinggis Khaan International Airport (ULN) near Ulaanbaatar .

Air Bagan IATA Designator: W9, ICAO Designator: JAB, Callsign: AIRBAGAN Air Bagan operates domestic scheduled services to 17 destinations, as well as to Chiang Mai, Thailand and Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia. Air Bagan's main bases are at Yangon International Airport (RGN), Yangon and Mandalay International Airport (MDL), Mandalay . Air Mandalay IATA Designator: 6T, ICAO Designator: -, Callsign: - A domestic and regional carrier for the tourism sector. Air Mandalay, based in Yangon , operates flights to all major tourist destinations within Myanmar including Bagan (Nyaung U), Mandalay , Heho (Inle Lake) and Ngapali Beach near Thandwe. Myanmar Airways International (MAI ) IATA Designator: 8M, ICAO Designator: MMA, Callsign: MYANMAR Myanma Airways is Myanmar's flag carrier. Myanma Airways and Region Air formed a joint venture Airline called Myanmar Airways International (MAI). Myanma Airways operates domestic flights only while Myanmar Airways International operates international flights to Bangkok , Guangzhou (China), Kuala Lumpur and Singapore .

Main Hub is Yangon International Airport (RGN) IATA Designator: YH, ICAO Designator: FSC, Callsign: HOTELKILO Domestic airline in Myanmar. Nepal Airlines (formerly Royal Nepal Airlines) IATA Designator: RA, ICAO Designator: RNA, Callsign: ROYALNEPAL Nepal Airlines is the national flag-carrier airline with its hub at Kathmandu 's Tribhuvan International Airport. The airline serves destinations in Asia and Europe with more than 30 domestic and 7 international routes. Buddha Air IATA Designator: U4, ICAO Designator: BHA, Callsign: BUDDHAAIR Buddha Air is a regional airline based in Kathmandu , Nepal. It operates domestic services within Nepal and offers flights to Lucknow, in Uttar Pradesh, India and Paro Airport in Bhutan. Scheduled and charter flights to domestic destinations. Shangri La Air (Defunct) Shangri-La Air was a private domestic airline based in Nepal. It merged with Necon Air in 2001. Necon Air became defunct in 2003.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) IATA Designator: PK, ICAO Designator: PIA, Callsign: PAKISTAN Pakistan International Airlines is the flag carrier of Pakistan, the airline has its main hub at Jinnah International Airport (KHI) in Karachi , PIA has secondary hubs at Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE), Lahore , and Benazir Bhutto International Airport (ISB), Islamabad . IATA Designator: 6S, ICAO Designator: URJ, Callsign: STARAV Private limited Air Charter Services, a cargo airline based in Karachi . Cebu Pacific Air IATA Designator: 5J, ICAO Designator: CPI, Callsign: CEBU AIR Is the Philippine's second flag carrier. Cebu Pacific is the country's leading domestic carrier, serving most domestic destinations as well as international destinations in Asia. Its main hub is at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MIA), Manila . Philippine Airlines IATA Designator: PR, ICAO Designator: PAL, Callsign: PHILIPPINE Philippine Airlines is the national carrier of the Philippines.

PAL has its main hubs at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MIA), Manila and Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) near Cebu City. Zest Airways IATA Designator: Z2, ICAO Designator: RIT, Callsign: ZEST Zest Airways (formerly Asian Spirit), flies to most destinations in the Philippines, it operates scheduled domestic services, mainly feeder services. Zest Airways has its hub at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MIA), Manila . Aeroflot IATA Designator: SU, ICAO Designator: AFL, Callsign: AEROFLOT The Russian flag carrier and largest airline in Russia has its hub for passenger operations at Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO), one of Moscow 's three airports. Pulkovo Aviation Enterprise IATA Designator: FV, ICAO Designator: PLK, Callsign: PULKOVO PAE was one of the biggest enterprises in aviation industry of Russia. The state owned company was the third largest airline in the country. In October 2006 it completed a merger with government owned State Transport Company Rossiya to form a new company under the Rossiya (transl.

Russia) brand name. Rossiya IATA Designator: FV, ICAO Designator: SDM, Callsign: RUSSIA The airline is Russia's second flag carrier, it operates scheduled and charter passenger flights from its main base at Pulkovo Airport (LED), Saint Petersburg . Rossiya operates flights to 70 destinations in the Russian Federation, 22 destinations in 9 countries of CIS, and 36 destinations in 20 countries of Europe and Asia. Siberia Airlines - S7 Airlines IATA Designator: S7, ICAO Designator: SBI, Callsign: SIBERIAN AIRLINES S7 operates a large domestic route network and international scheduled passenger flights. Its main hubs are at Moscow's Domodedovo International Airport (DME), and Tolmachevo Airport (OVB), Novosibirsk. Transaero IATA Designator: UN, ICAO Designator: TSO, Callsign: TRANSOVIET Transaero Airlines serves domestic destinations and operates flights to Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America.

Transaero's main base is Domodedovo International Airport (DME), Moscow and Pulkovo Airport (LED), Saint Petersburg . UTair Aviation IATA Designator: P2, ICAO Designator: TMN, Callsign: TJUMAVI Utair Aviation is one of the five largest air carriers of Russia and the largest Russian helicopter airline. It operates scheduled domestic and some international passenger services, scheduled helicopter services. UTair operates the largest aircraft fleet in Russia, its main base is at Roschino International Airport (TJM), Tyumen. VIM Airlines IATA Designator: NN, ICAO Designator: MOV, Callsign: MOVAIR VIM Airlines operates domestic and some international scheduled passenger services. The airline has its main base at Moscow's Domodedovo International Airport (DME). Jetstar Asia Airways IATA Designator: 3K, ICAO Designator: JSA, Callsign: JETSTARASIA Jetstar Asia, the Asian offshoot of Australia's Qantas' Jetstar Airways is a low-cost airline with its main hub at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), Singapore .

IATA Designator: MI, ICAO Designator: SLK, Callsign: SILKAIR The Regional Wing of Singapore Airlines, connects to 25 destinations in Asia. Singapore Airlines IATA Designator: SQ, ICAO Designator: SIA, Callsign: SINGAPORE The flag carrier of Singapore serves over 90 destinations in 40 countries, its amin hub is at Singapore's Changi Airport (SIN).The airline's website has information to routes, schedules, inflight dining and online reservations. Tiger Airways IATA Designator: TG, ICAO Designator: TGW, Callsign: GOCAT Tiger Airways is currently, in terms of passengers carried, the largest low-cost airline operating out of Singapore. The company's hub is at Singapore Changi Airport's Budget Terminal. Valuair IATA Designator: VF, ICAO Designator: VLU, Callsign: VALUE Privately owned budget airline operating out of Singapore currently flies to Bangkok, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Perth (Australia), Chengdu and Xiamen (both cities in China).

SriLankan Airlines IATA Designator: UL, ICAO Designator: ALK, Callsign: SRILANKAN The former Air Lanka is Sri Lanka's flag carrier, its main base is at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo the capital city of the country. On its website the company provides flight schedules, reservations, vacation information and more. Tajik Air IATA Designator: 7J, ICAO Designator: TJK, Callsign: TAJIKAIR The State Unitary Aviation Enterprise "Tajik Air" is the national air carrier of Tajikistan. It has its main hub at Dushanbe International Airport (DYU), Dushanbe , national capital of Tajikistan. The airline operates scheduled flights to destinations in Central Asia and Russia. Taiwan (Republic of China, ROC) China Airlines CAL IATA Designator: CI, ICAO Designator: CAL, Callsign: DYNASTY CAL is Taiwan's largest airline and the national flag carrier. The company is operating one of the youngest fleet in the world. With a fleet of 66 aircraft CAL is operating an international route network to 95 destinations in 29 countries.

Main base is at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport ( IATA code : TPE), Taipei . EVA Air IATA Designator: BR, ICAO Designator: EVA, Callsign: EVA EVA Airways Taiwan, the second largest Taiwanese airline is operating passenger and dedicated cargo services to over 40 international destinations. Its hub is at at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), Taipei . Far Eastern Air Transport - FAT (defunct) IATA Designator: EF, ICAO Designator: FEA, Callsign: FAR EASTERN Far Eastern Air Transport was the first private air transport company completely run by Taiwan people. FAT operated domestic services from Taipei and Kaohsiung to five regional cities and international services to Southeast Asia, South Korea and Palau . Far Eastern's main base was Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA). Mandarin Airlines IATA Designator: AE, ICAO Designator: MDA, Callsign: MANDARIN The subsidiary of China Airlines operates domestic and international routes. Main base is at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), Taipei .

UNI Air IATA Designator: B7, ICAO Designator: UIA, Callsign: GLORY UNI Airways is the result of the merging of Great China Airlines and Taiwan Airways. The subsidiary of EVA Air operates mainly flights to domestic destinations, as well as scheduled international flights to Bangkok , Hanoi and Seoul . The company's main hub is at Taiwan's second largest airport Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH), Kaohsiung City. Transasia Airways TNA IATA Designator: GE, ICAO Designator: TNA, Callsign: TRANSASIA Transasia Airways operates mainly domestic flights as well as some international scheduled and charter services to PR China, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. TNA's main hub is at Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) Taipei . Bangkok Airways IATA Designator: PG, ICAO Designator: BKP, Callsign: BANGKOKAIR Bangkok Airways is a regional carrier which offers scheduled services to destinations in Thailand , Cambodia , China , Lao PDR , Maldives , Myanmar and Singapore . Its main base is at Bangkok 's new international Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).

Nok Airlines IATA Designator: DD, ICAO Designator: NOK, Callsign: NOKAIR Thai regional low fare airline operates domestic services to many cities in Thailand. Main hub is Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) Orient Thai Airlines IATA Designator: OX, ICAO Designator: OEA, Callsign: ORIENTTHAI Orient Thai operates scheduled and chartered domestic flights and scheduled international flights to Incheon (ICN), South Korea, and Hong Kong (HKG). IATA Designator: (9R), ICAO Designator: VAP, Callsign: PHUKETAIR The regional carrier ceased scheduled operations. Thai Airways International IATA Designator: TG, ICAO Designator: THA, Callsign: THAI Thai Airways International is Thailand's national carrier and largest airline of Thailand. The airline's main hub is at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), Bangkok . Thai Airways has a fleet of 99 aircraft and operates flights to over 70 destinations world-wide.

Turkmenistan Airlines IATA Designator: TS, ICAO Designator: TUA, Callsign: TURKMENISTAN Turkmenistan Airlines is Turkmenistan's flag carrier, its main hub is at Ashgabat Airport, in Ashgabat the capital city of the country. The airline operates scheduled flights to destinations in CIS states, Europe and Asia. Uzbekistan Airways IATA Designator: HY, ICAO Designator: UZB, Callsign: UZBEKISTAN Uzbekistan Havo Yullary is Uzbekistan's flag carrier airline, it operates flights within the CIS, plus to destinations in Europe, Middle East, the USA and Asia. Its hub is at Tashkent International Airport (TAS), near Tashkent . Vietnam Airlines IATA Designator: VN, ICAO Designator: HVN, Callsign: VIETNAM Vietnam Airlines is the national flag carrier of Vietnam. It serves domestic destinations and destinations in Indochina, South East and North Asia, Australia, Europe and the United States.

The company operates hubs at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) near Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Airlines of Western Asia and the Middle East National Airlines and major carrier of countries of the Middle East. Iran Air IATA Designator: IR, ICAO Designator: IRA, Callsign: IRANAIR The government owned "Airline of the Islamic Republic of Iran" is the national carrier airline of Iran. Iran Air has its main bases for international flights at Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport and for domestic flights at Tehran Mehrabad Airport. See the location of the airports on the searchable map of Tehran . Iran Air Tours IATA Designator: B9, ICAO Designator: IRB, Callsign: - The subsidiary of Iran Air is a regional travel carrier, it operates scheduled domestic services and international services in the Middle East. Iraqi Airways IATA Designator: IA, ICAO Designator: IAW, Callsign: IRAQI Iraqi Airways, also known as Air Iraq, is the national flag carrier of the Republic of Iraq, its hub is at Baghdad International Airport in Baghdad . Iraqi Airways operates domestic and regional services.

El Al Israel Airlines IATA Designator: LY, ICAO Designator: ELY, Callsign: ELAL Israel's national airline operates scheduled domestic and international services and cargo flights, its main hub is at Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) near Tel Aviv . Royal Jordanian IATA Designator: RJ, ICAO Designator: RJA, Callsign: JORDANIAN Royal Jordanian Airline is the country's flag carrier that operates its main base at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), Amman . Royal Wings IATA Designator: -, ICAO Designator: RWZ, Callsign: - Levant's commuter airline offers regional scheduled and charter flights. Its main base is Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), Amman . Kuwait Airways IATA Designator: KU, ICAO Designator: KAC, Callsign: KUWAITI Kuwait Airways Corporation, serves destinations in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, Asia and USA. It is Kuwait's national airline, its main hub is at Kuwait International Airport (KWI) south of Kuwait City .

MEA - Middle East Airlines IATA Designator: ME, ICAO Designator: MEA, Callsign: CEDARJET Middle East Airlines - AirLiban is the national flag-carrier of Lebanon, with its main base at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) near Beirut . MEA operates scheduled international flights in the Middle East, to Europe and West Africa. TMA Cargo (formerly TMA - Trans Mediterranean Airways) IATA Designator: TL, ICAO Designator: TMA, Callsign: TANGO LIMA Trans Mediterranean Airways is a cargo airline based in Beirut. Oman Air IATA Designator: WY, ICAO Designator: OMA, Callsign: OMANAIR Oman Air is the national flag airline of the country, its hub is at Muscat International Airport (MCT), in Oman's capital Muscat . Qatar Airways IATA Designator: QR, ICAO Designator: QTR, Callsign: QATARI The national carrier of the Arabian Gulf State of Qatar operates a hub-and-spoke network to more than 95 international destinations.

Qatar Airways' main hub is at Doha International Airport (DOH) in Doha , the capital city of Qatar. Saudi Arabian Airlines IATA Designator: SV, ICAO Designator: SVA, Callsign: SAUDIA Saudi Arabian Airlines is the country's flag carrier airline, it operates domestic and international scheduled flights to more than 90 destinations, as well as domestic and international charter flights, mainly during Ramadan and the Hajj season. SAA's main hubs are at King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED) in Jiddah, King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh , and King Fahd International Airport (DMM) in Dammam. Syrian Air IATA Designator: RB, ICAO Designator: SYR, Callsign: SYRIANAIR Syrian Arab Airlines offers specialist pilgrimage and archeological journeys to selected destinations in the Middle East including Syria, Iraq and Iran. It also operates scheduled international services to over 40 destinations in Asia, Europe and North Africa. Syrian Aie's main hub is at Damascus International Airport (DAM), in the capital of the Syrian Arab Republic Damascus .

Atlasjet IATA Designator: KK, ICAO Designator: KKK, Callsign: ATLASJET Atlasjet operates domestic and international scheduled passenger services and regular charter flights to Europe, Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates, its main hub is at Atatürk International Airport (IST), Istanbul . Turkish Airlines IATA Designator: TK, ICAO Designator: THY, Callsign: TURKISH Turkish Airlines is the national carrier of Turkey. From its hub at Atatürk International Airport (IST), Istanbul the company operates scheduled flights to 38 domestic and 125 international destinations. Pegasus Airlines IATA Designator: PC, ICAO Designator: PGT, Callsign: SUNTURK Pegasus Airlines is a low-cost carrier with a fleet of 32 aircraft. The airline is operating flights to 18 domestic and 25 international destinations, its main hub is at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) near Istanbul.

SunExpress IATA Designator: XQ, ICAO Designator: SXS, Callsign: SUNEXPRESS From its hub at Antalya Airport (AYT) near Antalya, SunExpress operates scheduled and charter flights to destinations in Central Europe. Air Arabia IATA Designator: G9, ICAO Designator: ABY, Callsign: ARABIA Air Arabia is the first and largest low cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa. It operates flights to 65 destinations across the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and Europe. The airline operates from 3 hubs in Sharjah International Airport (SHJ), Sharjah, UAE , Mohamed V International Airport (CMN) Casablanca , Morocco and Alexandria International Airport (ALY) Alexandria, Egypt . Etihad Airways IATA Designator: EY, ICAO Designator: EDT, Callsign: ETIHAD Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates and the flag carrier airline of Abu Dhabi. The airline connects Abu Dhabi with almost all primary airports in the world.

Its main base is Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), Abu Dhabi Emirates Airline IATA Designator: EK, ICAO Designator: UAE, Callsign: EMIRATES Emirates is the largest airline in the Middle East and is the national airline of the Emirate of Dubai. Currently Emirates flies to 105 cities in 62 countries. Its hub is at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Dubai . RAK Airways IATA Designator: RT, ICAO Designator: RKM, Callsign: RAKAIR RAK Airways is the national airline carrier of Ras al-Khaimah Emirate. It operates flights to Kozhikode (Calicut) Kerala State, India, to Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia , to Dhaka and Chittagong in Bangladesh and to Cairo , Egypt . Rakairways has its hub at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT), Ras al-Khaimah (City), UAE. Royal Jet IATA Designator: -, ICAO Designator: ROJ, Callsign: ROYALJET Premium private charter aircraft service.

Its main base is Abu Dhabi International Airport, with hubs at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Question: What is the name of the Israeli national airline
Answer: El Al